Information on Turkish visas and residence permit
Do I Need a Turkish Residence Permit?
A Turkish Tourist Permit lets you stay in Turkey for 90 days in 180 days. Therefore, ex-pats – or those who want to stay longer – should apply for a Turkish residency permit instead of taking a day trip out of the country to get their passports re-stamped. It was once a time-consuming process to apply for a license. With an online visa application system, it’s easier than ever to get one.
Here’s everything you need to know about Turkish residence permit
Here’s how to apply for residency
- Start by visiting the Directorate General of Migration Management website. Get an appointment at the nearest DGMM office by entering your information.
- Once you fill out the online form, the system tells you where your closest DGMM office is, shows you available times and dates, and tells you what to bring.
- Foreign applicants can live in Turkey until their appointment date. After you submit your application, you can exit and re-enter Turkey within 15 days, but you can’t travel in and out at will.
What’s the cost of a Turkish residency permit?
Prices vary depending on how long you apply for a residency permit. By using online and choosing your DGMM appointment date, the system will automatically calculate the permit fees, which you can pay by credit card or at the tax office.
How Do I Get a Turkish Residency Permit?
Online systems will tailor the list of documents to your situation, but you’ll probably need most of the following:
- On a white background, take four clear biometric passport photos.
- You’ll need two copies of your TAPU/ Turkish Title Deeds or rental agreement stating where you live and how much you paid. You should also take the original if they want to see it.
- Plus, two copies of your passport (colour copies of the visa entry stamp and main details page; make sure your passport is valid the whole time you apply).
- You need your Turkish tax number. Visit your local tax office if you don’t have one.
- You must provide proof of health insurance coverage.
- You’ll need a bank statement showing you have enough money to look after yourself in Turkey for the given period. Ask your Turkish bank for a breakdown of your funds if you have one.
- Birth certificates, passports, and photos of your kids and spouse (if you’re applying for a family residency permit).
- The post office will deliver your new Turkish residency permit once the application is approved. You’ll get a one-year license upon your first application. After that, you can apply for two-year permits. Once you’ve had a residency for eight years, you can apply for a long-term residence permit, which is issued indefinitely.
Is it possible to work in Turkey with a residency permit?
You can’t work without a Turkish residence permit.
Working illegally will get you deported, fined, and your residency permit revoked. For employers, there are strict rules about how many foreigners they can hire and in what sector. Therefore, we recommend finding a job before you come to Turkey and going through the work permit application process with your employer.
Investment citizenship
You can get Turkish citizenship if you spend at least $400,000 on the property and keep it for three years. It has many benefits, like the right to work and the chance to pay into a Turkish pension. Furthermore, since it is a one-time application, you do not have to keep reapplying because it is a one-time process. You can find out more about this by clicking here.
The Best Things About Living in Turkey
Now that the hard part is over, you can look forward to starting a new life in Turkey. Some ex-pats fit right in, while others take a while. Then there’s learning the language, driving a car, keeping in touch with family and friends back home, and bringing pets.